2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
63/100
#4 most-complained of 9 Avalon Hybrid years
The 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 63, ranking 4th worst of 9 model years, with a Caution verdict. All 6 NHTSA complaints involve airbags, tied to one recall (23V865000), with 1 crash and a median failure mileage of 32,043.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 43.5
- 43 city / 43.5 hwy
Top 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags6 (100%)
What owners report
- Airbag warning (SRS) light illuminates with an audible chime, unrelated to a crash.
- Owners report front airbags failed to deploy during a real collision at highway speed.
- Owners were notified of recall 23V865000 for airbags but told replacement parts were not yet available.
- Some owners state the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable time frame to complete the recall repair.
2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 43 MPG
- Highway
- 43.5 MPG
- Combined
- 43.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,475
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Avalon Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 6 complaints for the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, all tied to airbags, giving it a Complaint Index of 63 and a Caution verdict relative to other Avalon Hybrid years.
- How does the 2021 Avalon Hybrid compare to other years?
- It ranks 4th worst out of 9 model years by Complaint Index. The 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years score higher (100, 88, 75) and carry Avoid verdicts, while 2021 sits in the middle.
- Does the 2021 Avalon Hybrid have an airbag recall?
- Yes. Recall 23V865000 covers the airbag sensor. Toyota dealers inspect and replace the sensor free of charge, though some owners report parts were not yet available.
- What is the most common problem on the 2021 Avalon Hybrid?
- All 6 NHTSA complaints (100% share) involve the Airbags system, with a median mileage at failure of 32,043 miles and 1 reported crash.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Avalon Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 43.5 mpg combined (43 city / 43.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,475.